THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) has sufficient funds to cover the meal expenses of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense team during her impeachment trial, and if there are concerns about using government funds, Duterte can simply pay for them herself.
House prosecutor Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list made the remarks as he dismissed suggestions on social media that Duterte’s supporters should raise money for her lawyers.
“Huwag ho tayong mag-drama-drama dito. Meron namang pera ang OVP para dito. It is just a matter of the Vice President actually signing off for the office,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Ridon, who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts, said that if Duterte prefers not to use OVP funds, she can shoulder the expenses herself.
“It is the Vice President who is on trial here. Kung ayaw niyang gamitin ang pondo ng OVP, baka magandang gamitin na lang ang personal niyang pondo,” Ridon said.
Ridon noted that Duterte could save money by remaining in the Philippines instead of traveling abroad while her impeachment trial is underway.
“Makakatulong siguro ’yon kung nandito siya sa Pilipinas at hindi niya ginagastos sa kanya pong mga biyahe,” he added, although Duterte’s camp clarified that the trip does not involve the use of public funds.
Ridon was reacting to Duterte’s request for the Senate to shoulder the catering expenses of her defense team during the impeachment trial.
He noted that the request was signed by Duterte herself and sought separate catering for the defense, with the Senate paying the bill.
“It was the Vice President, to be clear, hindi po OVP, ang nag-request nito. They wanted their own catering, but it will be the Senate who will pay for it,” he said.
Ridon said the Senate has no obligation to provide meals for either the prosecution or the defense.
“Wala pong obligasyon ang Senado para magbigay ng pagkain, whether sa prosecution o sa depensa,” he said.
Asked whether it would be proper for the OVP to use its funds to cover the defense team’s meals instead, Ridon said he sees no objection.
“Kung para doon sa food expenses po ng mga abogado, wala naman ho akong pagtutol. I mean, for her defense, wala ho tayong pagtutol,” he said.
“I think it’s a legitimate use of the OVP funds naman po. So pwede ho nilang gamitin ’yan.”
Ridon noted, however, that his understanding is that Duterte’s lawyers are serving as volunteer counsel.
“Ang understanding ho namin kasi, ’yung pong mga abogado ay volunteer lawyers po of the Vice President. So we will leave it at that,” he said.
metrosundaily
